8.0k views
4 votes
How does Eris's (orbits the Sun every 557 years) average distance compare to that of Pluto?

User Ralpharoo
by
9.0k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

Eris orbits the Sun at an average distance of approximately 96 AU, which is more than twice the average distance of Pluto at 40 AU. Eris also has a significantly longer orbital period of about 557 years compared to Pluto's 248 years.

Step-by-step explanation:

The average distance of the dwarf planet Eris from the Sun is significantly greater than that of Pluto. Pluto has an average orbital distance of about 40 AU (astronomical units), where 1 AU is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun.

On the other hand, Eris orbits at an average distance of roughly 96 AU from the Sun. This means that Eris is more than twice as far from the Sun as Pluto is. The large distance from the Sun also means Eris has a much longer orbital period, taking approximately 557 years to complete one orbit around the Sun, compared to Pluto's 248 years.

Beyond their distance from the Sun, the orbits of both Eris and Pluto are also unique compared to the major planets because they have relatively large inclinations to the ecliptic plane. Pluto's orbit is inclined about 17° to the ecliptic, while Eris's orbit is inclined by a more significant 44°. Most major planets in the Solar System have orbits that lie within 10° of the ecliptic plane.

User Manuel Richarz
by
8.6k points